NEWS

logo.gif (1594 bytes)

NEWS

Press Releases NEWS PAGE COMPANY INDEX Press Releases

 

Lenders increase AgriBioTech's revolving line of credit to accommodate increased seasonal needs
Henderson, Nevada
April 12, 1999

Richard Budd, chairman and chief executive officer, AgriBioTech Inc. (ABT) today announced that the bank syndicate that provides ABT with its revolving line of credit has provided a $10.0 million seasonal increase in the amount of credit available to the company through June 30, 1999.

The bank syndicate that provides ABT with its revolving line of credit includes Bank of America
National Trust and Savings Association, Deutsche Financial Services Corp. and Branch Banking & Trust Co.

"This increase provides ABT with adequate working capital to meet our seasonal needs, and we are pleased with the cooperation we have received from the syndicate and the confidence in us that this shows,'' said Budd.

"We announced early in March that demand for our products and spring shipments appeared to be good. Demand for our products over the past 30 days continues strong, and we need the additional credit to support our inventory and receivables,'' said Budd.

He added: "This increased demand and the status of our integration plan implementation increases our confidence in achieving pretax break-even performance, excluding our restructuring charge, for the second half of FY 99, as previously announced on March 8, 1999.''

The base revolver agreement between ABT and the syndicate runs through June 2001. One of the
reasons ABT sought the additional credit is due to its revenue growth during the first half of fiscal year 1999 (FY 99) after the base agreement was signed in June 1998. The company completed nine acquisitions, with annualized net sales, excluding intercompany sales, of approximately $98.6 million since July 1, 1998.

The $10.0 million increase and base $100.0 million facility carry an interest rate of LIBOR (London
Inter-Bank Offering Rate) plus 3 percent, or the bank's reference rate plus 1-1/8 percent, at ABT's
option. ABT has adequate availability under the borrowing formula to utilize the increase.

Additionally, Budd noted, "With our lenders' help, this additional credit also provides increased
flexibility to ABT in addressing our subordinated convertible debt.''

AgriBioTech is a fully integrated full-service seed company specializing in the forage and turfgrass seed sector, complete with research and development of proprietary seed varieties, seed- processing plants, and a national and international distribution and sales network. ABT's vision is to lead the turf and forage seed industry in discovering its value potential.

N1700

.0

Copyright © 1999 SeedQuest - All rights reserved